News

Gibson Drops Re-Election Bid Amid Controversial Comments
Les Gibson, the candidate for the state House who called a Florida high school shooting survivor a “skinhead lesbian” and other a “bald-faced liar,” dropped out of the race. Gibson told The Press Herald that he’s walking away with his head “held high.” At one point his re-election bid was unopposed, but two other people entered the race after Gibson’s controversial comments.

Auburn Woman Charged in Shots Fired Incident
An Auburn woman is being charged with firing a gunshot into an apartment ceiling during an argument in Lewiston. Amanda Darling was arrested Saturday morning for the incident at the Meadowview Apartments in Lewiston. Police say Darling and another woman were arguing when she pulled out the gun and fired it once. No one was hurt.

Winds Fan Flames in Brunswick Fire
Firefighters were battling not just flames, but also heavy winds at a house fire on Brunswick Sunday. Crews from seven local departments were called to the scene on Mere Point Road. Smoke could be seen for miles. There was no immediate word on a cause.

Lisbon HS Students Won’t be Disciplined for Walkout
Students at Lisbon High School won’t be punished for walking out last week as part of a national protest against gun violence on the one-month anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. The decision is a reversal of course for Superintendent Richard Green, who originally said any student who didn’t have dismissal letters from parents wouldn’t be permitted to return to school.

LA Metro Marketplace to Take Over for B2B Trade Show
Beckie Conrad and Jenny Moulton from the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce visited The Breakfast Club to talk about the replacement to the chamber’s B2B trade show now called the LA Metro Marketplace. The LA Metro Marketplace is happening at the Bates Mill Complex.

Report: Lawsuits Against LePage Cost Maine 385K
Lawsuits involving Governor Paul LePage are costing the state of Maine thousands of dollars, according to a review by The Associated Press. Those suits include one brought by LePage against state Attorney General Janet Mills for protecting young immigrants facing deportation and for refusing to provide him with public records. Since 2014, lawsuits involving the governor have cost the state $385,000. LePage declined to comment, but has said in the past that he’s the subject of a “witch hunt.”

Bills Would Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Maine
Maine is one of 20 states considering banning efforts to discourage same-sex attraction known as “conversion therapy.” A vote is expected in the state House and Senate in the coming weeks. At least nine other states have already implemented similar bans.

Move Aims to Overturn South Portland’s Short-Term Rental Rules
South Portland’s new regulations against short-term rentals are facing opposition. Resident Michael Frabotta has submitted a petition with almost 1,500 signatures, in an effort to get city council to reconsider its vote to ban unhosted stays in residential neighborhoods.

Historic Inn Burns to the Ground
A piece of Maine history has been destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire at Chesuncook Lake House in northern Maine on Saturday morning is unknown. Te owners say they’re devastated. No one was hurt in the fire. It was built more than 150 years ago in 1864 to support loggers and was listed on the Federal Historic Register.